Red Star Belgrade will welcome Barcelona to Serbia on Wednesday, 6 November for a huge Champions League clash at the Red Star Stadium.
The hosts are still searching for their first win of the season in the Champions League and with time now running out, this is a huge match for them and their qualification hopes.
Barcelona, meanwhile, have responded well to losing their opening match against Monaco. They are now sitting on six points and have qualification in their sights already.
How the bookies view it: The visitors start as huge favourites
Given how well Barcelona are playing this season, it's no surprise to see that they are the overwhelming favourites for this one. Betfred have priced a Barcelona win as short as 1/6 while a win for Red Star Belgrade has been priced at 14/1. The draw, which would be a fantastic result for the hosts, has been priced at 13/2.
Recent head-to-head: A first-ever meeting
Despite both teams having an impressive history in Europe, this will be the first time that they have ever played against each other which adds an extra layer of spice and intrigue to the fixture.
Players to watch: A front three in brilliant form
Barcelona's recent history has been built on excellent front threes and by the looks of things, they have another trio worth shouting about this season.
While they have a way to go to be compared favourably to the Pedro, Messi and Villa front line that won the Champions League in 2011 and the fabled Neymar, Messi and Suarez combination that triumphed in 2015, the signs are promising for Yamal, Raphinha and Lewandowski.
The current trio have a bit of everything. In Yamal, they have the fearlessness of youth and a future Ballon d'Or winner, in Raphinha they have a wide man at the peak of his powers and in Lewandowski, they have a wiley old head who is enjoying a resurgence under Hansi Flick.
The trio have combined for 33 goals and 17 assists already this season and we're only in November so it will be exciting to see how they get on from here. All three will see this match as an opportunity to add to their tallies.
Predicted line-ups
Red Star will be without Peter Olayinka and Nemanja Radonjic for this one while there are also doubts around the fitness of goalkeeper, Omri Glazer and defender, Ognjen Mimovic. Barcelona's injury issues are well documented, and they will be without at least six players, including Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Ferran Torres.
Red Star Belgrade: Ilic – Young-woo, Spajic, Djiga – Silas, Elsnik, Krunic, Maksimovic, Rodic – Duarte, Ndiaye
Barcelona: Pena – Kounde, Cubarsi, Martinez, Balde – Pedri, De Jong – Yamal, Olmo, Raphinha – Lewandowski
Anything else catch the eye?
Barcelona have won their last six matches in all competitions and five of those came by a margin of three goals or more. Given their opponents are yet to pick up a point in the Champions League this season, another rout is on the cards. Barcelona to win with a -2 handicap has been priced at 5/4 by Betfred.
This UEFA Champions League match between Red Star Belgrade and Barcelona will be played on Nov 6, 2024 and kick off at 20:00. Check below for our tipsters best Red Star Belgrade vs Barcelona prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
